Gas turbine engine airfoil

ABSTRACT

An airfoil of a turbine engine includes pressure and suction sides that extend in a radial direction from a 0% span position at an inner flow path location to a 100% span position at an airfoil tip. The airfoil has a relationship between a tangential stacking offset and a span position that is at least a third order polynomial curve that includes at least one positive and negative slope. The positive slope leans toward the suction side and the negative slope leans toward the pressure side. An initial slope starts at the 0% span position is either zero or positive. The first critical point is less than 15% span.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/626,167 filed Feb. 19, 2015 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/941,698, which was filed on Feb. 19, 2014 and is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to an airfoil for gas turbine engines, and more particularly to a fan or compressor blade and the relationship between the blade's tangential stacking offset relative to span.

A turbine engine such as a gas turbine engine typically includes a fan section, a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. Air entering the compressor section is compressed and delivered into the combustor section where it is mixed with fuel and ignited to generate a high-speed exhaust gas flow. The high-speed exhaust gas flow expands through the turbine section to drive the compressor and the fan section. The compressor section typically includes low and high pressure compressors, and the turbine section includes low and high pressure turbines.

The propulsive efficiency of a gas turbine engine depends on many different factors, such as the design of the engine and the resulting performance debits on the fan that propels the engine. As an example, the fan may rotate at a high rate of speed such that air passes over the fan airfoils at transonic or supersonic speeds. The fast-moving air creates flow discontinuities or shocks that result in irreversible propulsive losses. Additionally, physical interaction between the fan and the air causes downstream turbulence and further losses. Although some basic principles behind such losses are understood, identifying and changing appropriate design factors to reduce such losses for a given engine architecture has proven to be a complex and elusive task.

SUMMARY

In one exemplary embodiment, an airfoil of a turbine engine includes pressure and suction sides that extend in a radial direction from a 0% span position at an inner flow path location to a 100% span position at an airfoil tip. The airfoil has a relationship between a tangential stacking offset and a span position that is at least a third order polynomial curve that includes at least one positive and negative slope. The positive slope leans toward the suction side and the negative slope leans toward the pressure side. An initial slope starts at the 0% span position is either zero or positive. The first critical point is less than 15% span.

In a further embodiment of the above, the curve has at least two critical points.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the airfoil extends from a root. A zero tangential stacking offset corresponds to tangential center of the root.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the curve has an initial positive slope.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the first critical point has an R_(d)/Y_(d) ratio in a range of 195 to 205.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the second critical point is in the range of 35-45% span.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the second critical point has an R_(d)/Y_(d) ratio in a range of 1950 to 2050.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the curve does not cross the zero tangential stacking offset.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the curve crosses the zero tangential stacking offset once.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, a critical point in a 35-45% span range has a R_(d)/Y_(d) ratio in a range of −70 to −74.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the curve has an initial zero slope.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the first critical point is in the range of 35-45% span.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the first critical point has an R_(d)/Y_(d) ratio in a range of −108 to −116.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the second critical point is in the range of 85-95% span.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the second critical point has an R_(d)/Y_(d) ratio in a range of 23 to 26.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the curve crosses the zero tangential stacking offset twice.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the airfoil is a fan blade for a gas turbine engine.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the fan blade is a composite blade.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the composite blade is a swept blade.

In another exemplary embodiment, a gas turbine engine includes a combustor section that is arranged between a compressor section and a turbine section. A fan section has an array of twenty-six or fewer fan blades. The fan section has a low fan pressure ratio of less than or equal to about 1.7. A geared architecture couples the fan section to the turbine section or the compressor section. The fan blades include a root. An airfoil has pressure and suction sides and extends from the root in a radial direction from a 0% span position at an inner flow path location to a 100% span position at an airfoil tip. The airfoil has a relationship between a tangential stacking offset and a span position that is at least a third order polynomial curve that includes at least one positive and negative slope. The positive slope leans toward the suction side and the negative slope leans toward the pressure side. A zero tangential stacking offset corresponds to tangential center of the root. The 0% span position is offset from the zero tangential stacking offset. The first critical point is less than 15% span.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure can be further understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a gas turbine engine embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a portion of a fan section.

FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fan section.

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view a fan blade taken along line 2C-2C in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 3A is a schematic view of fan blade span positions.

FIG. 3B is a schematic view of a cross-section of a fan blade section at a particular span position and its tangential stacking offset.

FIG. 4 illustrates a relationship between a tangential stacking offset and a span position for several example airfoils.

The embodiments, examples and alternatives of the preceding paragraphs, the claims, or the following description and drawings, including any of their various aspects or respective individual features, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a gas turbine engine 20. The gas turbine engine 20 is disclosed herein as a two-spool turbofan that generally incorporates a fan section 22, a compressor section 24, a combustor section 26 and a turbine section 28. Alternative engines might include an augmenter section (not shown) among other systems or features. The fan section 22 drives air along a bypass flow path B in a bypass duct defined within a nacelle 15, while the compressor section 24 drives air along a core flow path C for compression and communication into the combustor section 26 then expansion through the turbine section 28. Although depicted as a two-spool turbofan gas turbine engine in the disclosed non-limiting embodiment, it should be understood that the concepts described herein are not limited to use with two-spool turbofans as the teachings may be applied to other types of turbine engines including three-spool architectures. That is, the disclosed airfoils may be used for engine configurations such as, for example, direct fan drives, or two- or three-spool engines with a speed change mechanism coupling the fan with a compressor or a turbine sections.

The exemplary engine 20 generally includes a low speed spool 30 and a high speed spool 32 mounted for rotation about an engine central longitudinal axis X relative to an engine static structure 36 via several bearing systems 38. It should be understood that various bearing systems 38 at various locations may alternatively or additionally be provided, and the location of bearing systems 38 may be varied as appropriate to the application.

The low speed spool 30 generally includes an inner shaft 40 that interconnects a fan 42, a first (or low) pressure compressor 44 and a first (or low) pressure turbine 46. The inner shaft 40 is connected to the fan 42 through a speed change mechanism, which in exemplary gas turbine engine 20 is illustrated as a geared architecture 48 to drive the fan 42 at a lower speed than the low speed spool 30. The high speed spool 32 includes an outer shaft 50 that interconnects a second (or high) pressure compressor 52 and a second (or high) pressure turbine 54. A combustor 56 is arranged in exemplary gas turbine 20 between the high pressure compressor 52 and the high pressure turbine 54. A mid-turbine frame 57 of the engine static structure 36 is arranged generally between the high pressure turbine 54 and the low pressure turbine 46. The mid-turbine frame 57 further supports bearing systems 38 in the turbine section 28. The inner shaft 40 and the outer shaft 50 are concentric and rotate via bearing systems 38 about the engine central longitudinal axis X which is collinear with their longitudinal axes.

The core airflow is compressed by the low pressure compressor 44 then the high pressure compressor 52, mixed and burned with fuel in the combustor 56, then expanded over the high pressure turbine 54 and low pressure turbine 46. The mid-turbine frame 57 includes airfoils 59 which are in the core airflow path C. The turbines 46, 54 rotationally drive the respective low speed spool 30 and high speed spool 32 in response to the expansion. It will be appreciated that each of the positions of the fan section 22, compressor section 24, combustor section 26, turbine section 28, and fan drive gear system 48 may be varied. For example, gear system 48 may be located aft of combustor section 26 or even aft of turbine section 28, and fan section 22 may be positioned forward or aft of the location of gear system 48.

The engine 20 in one example is a high-bypass geared aircraft engine. In a further example, the engine 20 bypass ratio is greater than about six (6), with an example embodiment being greater than about ten (10). In another example, the bypass ratio between about ten (10) and about eighteen (18). In yet another example, the bypass ratio is less than about nine (9), for example, about seven (7) to about nine (9). In one example, the geared architecture 48 is an epicyclic gear train, such as a planetary gear system or other gear system, with a gear reduction ratio of greater than about 2.3 and the low pressure turbine 46 has a pressure ratio that is greater than about five. In one disclosed embodiment, the engine 20 bypass ratio is greater than about ten (10:1), the fan diameter is significantly larger than that of the low pressure compressor 44, and the low pressure turbine 46 has a pressure ratio that is greater than about five (5:1). Low pressure turbine 46 pressure ratio is pressure measured prior to inlet of low pressure turbine 46 as related to the pressure at the outlet of the low pressure turbine 46 prior to an exhaust nozzle. The geared architecture 48 may be an epicyclic gear train, such as a planetary gear system or other gear system, with a gear reduction ratio of greater than about 2.3:1. It should be understood, however, that the above parameters are only exemplary of one embodiment of a geared architecture engine and that the present invention is applicable to other gas turbine engines including direct drive turbofans.

The example gas turbine engine includes the fan 42 that comprises in one non-limiting embodiment less than about twenty-six (26) fan blades. In another non-limiting embodiment, the fan section 22 includes less than about twenty (20) fan blades. Moreover, in one disclosed embodiment the low pressure turbine 46 includes no more than about six (6) turbine rotors schematically indicated at 34. In another non-limiting example embodiment the low pressure turbine 46 includes about three (3) turbine rotors. A ratio between the number of fan blades 42 and the number of low pressure turbine rotors is between about 3.3 and about 8.6. The example low pressure turbine 46 provides the driving power to rotate the fan section 22 and therefore the relationship between the number of turbine rotors 34 in the low pressure turbine 46 and the number of blades 42 in the fan section 22 disclose an example gas turbine engine 20 with increased power transfer efficiency.

A significant amount of thrust is provided by the bypass flow B due to the high bypass ratio. The fan section 22 of the engine 20 is designed for a particular flight condition—typically cruise at about 0.8 Mach and about 35,000 feet. The flight condition of 0.8 Mach and 35,000 ft, with the engine at its best fuel consumption—also known as “bucket cruise Thrust Specific Fuel Consumption (‘TSFC’)”—is the industry standard parameter of lbm of fuel being burned divided by lbf of thrust the engine produces at that minimum point. “Low fan pressure ratio” is the pressure ratio across the fan blade alone, without a Fan Exit Guide Vane (“FEGV”) system. The low fan pressure ratio as disclosed herein according to one non-limiting embodiment is less than about 1.55. In another non-limiting embodiment the low fan pressure ratio is less than or equal to about 1.7, for example, from about 1.2 to about 1.7. In another example, the low fan pressure ratio is less than or equal to about 1.5, for example, from about 1.4 to about 1.5, and, for example, about 1.45. In another non-limiting embodiment the low fan pressure ratio is from 1.1 to 1.45. “Low corrected fan tip speed” is the actual fan tip speed in ft/sec divided by an industry standard temperature correction of [(Tram °R)/(518.7°R)]^(0.5). The “Low corrected fan tip speed” as disclosed herein according to one non-limiting embodiment is less than about 1200 ft/second.

Referring to FIG. 2A-2C, the fan blade 42 is supported by a fan hub 60 that is rotatable about the axis X. Each fan blade 42 includes an airfoil 64 extending in a radial span direction R from a root 62 to a tip 66. A 0% span position corresponds to a section of the airfoil 64 at the inner flow path (e.g., a platform), and a 100% span position corresponds to a section of the airfoil 64 at the tip 66. The airfoil 64 may also be used for other sections of the engine 20, for example, the compressor section 24 or the turbine section 28.

The root 62 is received in a correspondingly shaped slot in the fan hub 60. The airfoil 64 extends radially outward of the platform, which provides the inner flow path. The platform may be integral with the fan blade or separately secured to the fan hub, for example. A spinner 66 is supported relative to the fan hub 60 to provide an aerodynamic inner flow path into the fan section 22.

The airfoil 64 has an exterior surface 76 providing a contour that extends from a leading edge 68 aftward in a chord-wise direction H to a trailing edge 70, as shown in FIG. 2C. Pressure and suction sides 72, 74 join one another at the leading and trailing edges 68, 70 and are spaced apart from one another in an airfoil thickness direction T. An array of the fan blades 42 are positioned about the axis X in a circumferential or tangential direction Y. Any suitable number of fan blades may be used in a given application.

The exterior surface 76 of the airfoil 64 generates lift based upon its geometry and directs flow along the core flow path C and the bypass flow path B. The fan blade 42 may be constructed from a composite material, or an aluminum alloy or titanium alloy, or a combination of one or more of these. Abrasion-resistant coatings or other protective coatings may be applied to the fan blade 42. In one example, the fan blade 42 is a composite that has a swept configuration.

One characteristic of fan blade performance relates to the fan blade's tangential stacking offset (Y direction) relative to a particular span position (R direction). Referring to FIG. 3A, span positions a schematically illustrated from 0% to 100% in 10% increments. Each section at a given span position is provided by a conical cut that corresponds to the shape of the core flow path, as shown by the large dashed lines. In the case of a fan blade with an integral platform, the 0% span position corresponds to the radially innermost location where the airfoil meets the fillet joining the airfoil to the platform. In the case of a fan blade without an integral platform, the 0% span position corresponds to the radially innermost location where the discrete platform meets the exterior surface of the airfoil. In addition to varying with span, tangential stacking offset varies between a hot, running condition and a cold, static (“on the bench”) condition.

The Y_(CG) corresponds to the location of the center of gravity, assuming a homogeneous material, for a particular section at a given span location relative to a reference point 80 in the Y direction, as shown in FIG. 3B. The reference point 80 is the tangential center of the root, and Y_(d) corresponds to the circumferential distance from the reference point 80 to the center of gravity. A positive Y value corresponds to the opposite rotational direction as the hub's rotation, or toward the suction side of the airfoil. A negative Y value corresponds to the same rotational direction as the hub's rotation, or toward the pressure side of the airfoil.

The tangential stacking offset Y_(d) may be expressed as a tangential stacking offset ratio R_(d)/Y_(d), where R_(d) is the radial distance from hub's rotational axis X to the tip of the leading edge 68. R_(d) as disclosed herein according to one non-limiting embodiment is about 35-37 inches (0.89-0.94 meters). In another non-limiting embodiment R_(d) is about 27-29 inches (0.69-0.74 meters). In another non-limiting embodiment R_(d) is about 39-41 inches (0.99-1.04 meters). One example prior art airfoil has an R_(d) of about 57-59 inches (1.45-1.50 meters).

Example relationships between the tangential stacking offset and the span position (AVERAGE SPAN %), which is the average of the radial position at the leading and trailing edges 68, 70. are shown in FIG. 4 for several example fan blades, each represented by curves A, B and C.

The prior art curve includes a first critical point around 18% span that has an R_(d)/Y_(d) ratio of 81-84. A second critical point around 35% span has an R_(d)/Y_(d) ratio of around 114-118, and a third critical point around 95% has an R_(d)/Y_(d) ratio of around 12.7-13.1.

Each relationship is at least a third order polynomial having at least one positive slope and one negative slope. Each inventive curve includes at least two critical points, which are represented by an asterisk. A positive slope is where the airfoil leans toward the suction side, and a negative slope is where the airfoil leans toward the pressure side. Relationships are depicted in which the curves have an initial slope starting at the 0% span position that is either zero or positive. Each curve has the 0% span position offset from the zero tangential stacking offset, or reference point.

Referring to curve A, the curve has an initial positive slope to a critical point 90 in the range of 5-15% span. The curve begins with a positive tangential stacking offset. At the 5-15% span location, the tangential stacking offset ratio R_(d)/Y_(d) is in the range of 195 to 205. The curve has a negative slope from the critical point 90 to an critical point 92, which is in the range of 35-45% span. At the 35-45% span location, the tangential stacking offset ratio R_(d)/Y_(d) is in the range of 1950 to 2050. At the 100% span location, the tangential stacking offset ratio R_(d)/Y_(d) is in the range of 13 to 15. The curve does not cross the zero tangential stacking offset.

Referring to curve B, the curve has an initial positive slope to a critical point 94 in the range of 5-15% span. The curve begins with a negative tangential stacking offset. At the 5-15% span location, the tangential stacking offset ratio R_(d)/Y_(d) is in the range of −175 to −185. The curve has a negative slope from the critical point 94 to a critical point 96, which is in the range of 35-45% span. At the 35-45% span location, the tangential stacking offset ratio R_(d)/Y_(d) is in the range of −70 to −74. The curve crosses the zero tangential stacking offset at location 98 in the range of 60-70% span. At the 100% span location, the tangential stacking offset ratio R_(d)/Y_(d) is in the range of 19 to 21.

Referring to curve C, the curve has an initial zero slope and begins with a positive tangential stacking offset. The curve has a negative slope that crosses the zero tangential stacking offset at location 104 after a critical point in the range of 5-15% and has a critical point 100 in the range of 35-45% span. At the 5-15% span location, the tangential stacking offset ratio R_(d)/Y_(d) is in the range of −540 to −580. At the 35-45% span location, the tangential stacking offset ratio R_(d)/Y_(d) is in the range of −108 to −116. The curve has a positive slope from the critical point 100 to a critical point 102, which is in the range of 85-95% span. The curve crosses the zero tangential stacking offset in the range of 50-60% span. At the 85-95% span location, the tangential stacking offset ratio R_(d)/Y_(d) is in the range of 23 to 26. At the 100% span location, the tangential stacking offset ratio R_(d)/Y_(d) is in the range of 27 to 29.

The tangential stacking offset in a hot, running condition along the span of the airfoils 64 relate to the contour of the airfoil and provide necessary fan operation in cruise at the lower, preferential speeds enabled by the geared architecture 48 in order to enhance aerodynamic functionality and thermal efficiency. As used herein, the hot, running condition is the condition during cruise of the gas turbine engine 20. For example, the tangential stacking offsets in the hot, running condition can be determined in a known manner using numerical analysis, such as finite element analysis.

It should also be understood that although a particular component arrangement is disclosed in the illustrated embodiment, other arrangements will benefit herefrom. Although particular step sequences are shown, described, and claimed, it should be understood that steps may be performed in any order, separated or combined unless otherwise indicated and will still benefit from the present invention.

Although the different examples have specific components shown in the illustrations, embodiments of this invention are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from one of the examples in combination with features or components from another one of the examples.

Although an example embodiment has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of the claims. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An airfoil of a turbine engine comprising: pressure and suction sides extending in a radial direction from a 0% span position at an inner flow path location to a 100% span position at an airfoil tip, wherein the airfoil has a relationship between a tangential stacking offset and a span position that is at least a third order polynomial curve that includes at least one positive and negative slope, the positive slope leans toward the suction side and the negative slope leans toward the pressure side, wherein an initial slope starting at the 0% span position is either zero or positive, wherein the first critical point is less than 15% span.
 2. The airfoil according to claim 1, wherein the curve has at least two critical points.
 3. The airfoil according to claim 2, wherein the airfoil extends from a root, and a zero tangential stacking offset corresponds to tangential center of the root.
 4. The airfoil according to claim 2, wherein the curve has an initial positive slope.
 5. The airfoil according to claim 4, wherein the first critical point has an R_(d)/Y_(d) ratio in a range of 195 to
 205. 6. The airfoil according to claim 4, wherein the second critical point is in the range of 35-45% span.
 7. The airfoil according to claim 6, wherein the second critical point has an R_(d)/Y_(d) ratio in a range of 1950 to
 2050. 8. The airfoil according to claim 4, wherein the curve does not cross the zero tangential stacking offset.
 9. The airfoil according to claim 4, wherein the curve crosses the zero tangential stacking offset once.
 10. The airfoil according to claim 9, wherein a critical point in a 35-45% span range has a R_(d)/Y_(d) ratio in a range of −70 to −74.
 11. The airfoil according to claim 2, wherein the curve has an initial zero slope.
 12. The airfoil according to claim 11, wherein the first critical point is in the range of 35-45% span.
 13. The airfoil according to claim 12, wherein the first critical point has an R_(d)/Y_(d) ratio in a range of −108 to −116.
 14. The airfoil according to claim 11, wherein the second critical point is in the range of 85-95% span.
 15. The airfoil according to claim 14, wherein the second critical point has an R_(d)/Y_(d) ratio in a range of 23 to
 26. 16. The airfoil according to claim 11, wherein the curve crosses the zero tangential stacking offset twice.
 17. The airfoil according to claim 1, wherein the airfoil is a fan blade for a gas turbine engine.
 18. The airfoil according to claim 17, wherein the fan blade is a composite blade.
 19. The airfoil according to claim 18, wherein the composite blade is a swept blade.
 20. A gas turbine engine comprising: a combustor section arranged between a compressor section and a turbine section; a fan section having an array of twenty-six or fewer fan blades, wherein the fan section has a low fan pressure ratio of less than or equal to about 1.7; a geared architecture coupling the fan section to the turbine section or the compressor section; and wherein the fan blades include a root, and an airfoil having pressure and suction sides extending from the root in a radial direction from a 0% span position at an inner flow path location to a 100% span position at an airfoil tip, wherein the airfoil has a relationship between a tangential stacking offset and a span position that is at least a third order polynomial curve that includes at least one positive and negative slope, the positive slope leans toward the suction side and the negative slope leans toward the pressure side, wherein a zero tangential stacking offset corresponds to tangential center of the root, and the 0% span position is offset from the zero tangential stacking offset, wherein the first critical point is less than 15% span. 